Students at College Achieve Charter School, Patterson, Attended Crossroads Theater

Posted on June 29, 2022 By

Through the efforts of Monica Weeks, operations manager of Crossroad Theater, New Brunswick, and several donors, 32 middle and high school students from College Achieve College Achieve Paterson Charter School (CAPS), Paterson, had an opportunity to see the play “Freedom Rider” at no charge.

Weeks said, “We are so pleased that students were able to see a play and expand the cultural experience most students do not have.”

Michael Piscal, the founder and CEO of CAPS, said, “We’re so grateful for the generosity of Crossroads Theater and their donors for providing our students from College Achieve Paterson this enriching, eye-opening cultural experience. For many of our students this was the first time they had attended a play; and it is wonderful to see their cultural horizons expanded and their knowledge of history increased. We hope this experience will spark a desire within our student body to embrace theater as we work to expand our arts program at College Achieve Public Schools.”

Serving grades K through 12, the mission of College Achieve College Achieve Paterson Charter School Charter School (CAPS), Paterson, is to prepare all students to excel in and graduate from the top colleges and universities in the nation.

Piscal said, “We believe an important part of that preparation is to offer our students opportunities to experience the arts and to increase their social capital.”

Brenda Ross Dulan, who has been on the governing board for six years, and will be honored in September with the Caren Franzini Leadership Award at the 8th annual Women Business Leaders Forum, said, “I am proud to serve on the governing board of College Achieve, creating opportunities for youths with enormous potential and talent but limited resources.”

For more information, contact Dean Kanifa Dobson at kdobson@collegeachieve.org or call 862-319-4200.

About College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS): College Achieve Public Schools is a network of K-12 schools in Paterson, Plainfield, Asbury Park, and Neptune Township that was created to serve youth who have enormous potential but limited resources. Its mission is to prepare all students to excel in and graduate from the top colleges and universities in the nation.

A college-going culture is embedded in the curriculum, showing that college is an option for these families. College Achieve is filling a strong need for social services among its student population. They’re providing meals, laundry, uniforms, childcare, after-school programming, mental health attention, transportation and other vital social support to meet students where they are. During the pandemic, they were among the first to rise to meet the moment and embedded that across their culture/programs.

College Achieve is helping to form scholars who know themselves well and demonstrate grit and tenacity. CAPS prepares their scholars for college and the modern world. By helping our scholars develop a strong sense of self and a deep moral compass, they help them become responsible citizens in school and in life.

College Achieve knows that students at private and elite schools have more than just rigorous academics, which CAPS also provides. Students’ families’ networks at elite schools provide cultural and social currency that lower income families often miss. College Achieve is intent on providing those experiences, relationships and knowledge to offer their students another advantage after graduation.

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